Ami Yares is a songwriter, performer, and community organizer. He not only uses music for its entertainment value, but to bring people together using music. He’s done this work in the United States but has worked in other countries, including Israel and Palestine. In addition to working with a number of social change organizations, AmiRead more
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Join the Philadelphia Folksong Society in celebrating the release of its first-ever coffee table book celebrating the first 56 years of the Philadelphia Folk Festival! CLICK HERE TO ORDER SMILING BANJO About the Book The Philadelphia Folk Festival is the longest continually running outdoor folk festival in North America. Smiling Banjo is a coffee tableRead more
Homestead Collective is a duo comprised of Ben Morris & Caitlyn Deviney. In the duo, Caitlyn play guitar and sings and Ben plays guitar and sometimes banjo. Both play percussion. I talked with both Ben and Caitlyn about the Homestead Collective duo and also the Homestead Collective organization. Their website is homesteadcollective.net. How did youRead more
The 57th Annual PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL, is slated for August 16th-19th, 2018 on the Old Pool Farm where more than 100 amazing acts will be presented on eight separate stages. Joining the already incredible line up of national and international performers, is a cadre of fabulous and perhaps familiar folks that are certain to delightRead more
If you are like tens of thousands of music enthusiasts, this summer you will be heading to a gorgeous spot in Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania with rolling hills and a natural amphitheater where the famed PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL will be celebrating its 57th Anniversary August 16th-19th, 2018 on the Old Pool Farm. The hills willRead more
The Philadelphia Folksong Society is saddened to share the passing of Gene Shay’s beloved wife Gloria, the First Lady of Folk. Gloria Shaner (nee Segall) May 17, 2018. Beloved Wife of Ivan; Devoted mother of Rachel (Tom) Vaughan and Elana (Frank) Benasutti; Adoring grandmother of Tom, Jr. and Lauren; Loving sister of Shirley (and the lateRead more
Whirled Music is comprised of Ken Ulansey and Phyllis Chapell, and at times, additional musicians. I talked with Ken about Whirled Music. Before we get into a discussion about Whirled Music, say a little about your and Phyllis’s individual histories. I’ve always enjoyed moving between different musical worlds. I’ve played classical music all through EuropeRead more
Keychange is a pioneering international initiative supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union which empowers women to transform the future of the music industry and encourages festivals to achieve or maintain a 50:50 gender balance by 2022. By bringing together like-minded festivals and conference programmers committed to positive action, Keychange aims toRead more
57th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival 2018 Initial Line Up Released August 16-19, 2018 Upper Salford Township, PA (Philadelphia, PA) After years of hearing that ‘…folk music is mainly white and male-dominated…’, the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL set out to change that perception and has programmed this amazing line up with a focus on inclusion andRead more
Sweetbriar Rose is a band fronted by Heather Blakeslee, lead singer and songwriter, with Joy Theissen on keyboards and vocals, Shane Leddy on upright bass and vocals, Tracy Hill on vocals, Walter Foley on percussion and harmonica, Shaun Quigley on electric guitar and Adam Monaco on mandolin. Spoon Ferguson and Tom McDermott provide extra vocals.Read more